People in the news: Superstar Beckham is a fan of pope

Updated 7:22 am, Friday, September 25, 2015

Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY

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UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham tours a installation at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2015, after a press conference to announce the Assembly of Youth, a digital installation created by UNICEF. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARYTIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images less

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham tours a installation at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2015, after a press conference to announce the Assembly of Youth, a digital installation ... more

Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY

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(FILES) A file photo taken on March 29, 2015 shows singer Chris Brown arriving on the red carpet for the iHeartRadio Music Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Australia on September 24, 2015, warned US rapper Chris Brown could be denied a visa for an upcoming tour because of his criminal record, as it unveiled a Aus$100 million (US$70 million) package to end the "national disgrace" of domestic violence. AFP PHOTO/FILES/ VALERIE MACONVALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images less

(FILES) A file photo taken on March 29, 2015 shows singer Chris Brown arriving on the red carpet for the iHeartRadio Music Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Australia on ... more

Photo: VALERIE MACON

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Pope Francis speaks at St. Patrick's Church in Washington, Thursday, Sept, 24, 2015, following his address to a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill. Mike Theiler/Pool Photo via AP) ORG XMIT: WAS28

Pope Francis speaks at St. Patrick's Church in Washington, Thursday, Sept, 24, 2015, following his address to a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill. Mike Theiler/Pool Photo via AP) ORG XMIT: WAS28

Photo: Mike Theiler

People in the news: Superstar Beckham is a fan of pope

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Add David Beckham to the list of people who have been moved by the pope's visit to the United States.

The superstar was promoting child welfare at the United Nations on Thursday, a day before Pope Francis was due to address the body's General Assembly. Since his arrival in Washington on Tuesday, he's met with President Barack Obama and addressed Congress; he arrived in New York City on Thursday and was heading to Philadelphia on Friday.

Beckham called Pope Francis "truly amazing."

"I saw images of him this morning with a young girl, which is truly incredible. So children hit home with many people and I think no one can ignore that," he said.

The former soccer star has been a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF for 11 years and met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to highlight children in crisis around the world.

"(Last year) was one of the most devastating years on record for children. Due to conflicts, more than 15 million children were exposed to extreme violence and many more affected by natural disasters. This year is proving to be just as bad," said Beckham. "As a UNICEF ambassador and as a father, it breaks my heart to see children continue to suffer."

Beckham has four children of his own with wife Victoria. His children have become celebrities in their own right — most notably teen son Brooklyn Beckham, who has been modeling.

Beckham is looking to start a new Major League Soccer team in Miami — an undertaking that has taken longer than expected. He said he's close to finding a location for the team's stadium.

— Associated Press

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Fordham University on Thursday rescinded an honorary degree it presented to Bill Cosby, citing sexual assault allegations against him and the comedian's admission that he obtained quaaludes to give to women with whom he hoped to have sex.

A government minister signaled Thursday that troubled R&B singer Chris Brown won't be allowed to tour Australia in December because of his criminal conviction for assaulting pop star Rihanna

Michaelia Cash, who was assistant minister for Immigration and Border Protection before a Cabinet reshuffle this week, said she would recommend that Immigration Minister Peter Dutton refuse the 25-year-old American a visa on character grounds.

Activists have been campaigning against Brown's tour of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth because of his brutal attack on his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, hours before the Grammy Awards in 2009.

He pleaded guilty to felony assault and was freed from probation this year.